Five GMs who helped their teams win now 

An active offseason that witnessed some of baseball’s best players changing teams clearly would buoy some and sink others. For the following five teams, their offseason moves could vault them into bona fide postseason contention and divisional relevance, due mainly to the wheeling and dealing of their general managers. Here are five GMs who have improved their clubs to “win now” (tomorrow: five GMs who helped their teams long-term):

1. Jerry Dipoto, Los Angeles Angels

In Albert Pujols, the Angels acquired the best power hitter in the game, and they stole left-hander C.J. Wilson, the ace of the division rival Texas Rangers, and slotted him into their rotation behind Jered Weaver and Dan Haren. Dipoto also tendered a contract to first baseman Kendrys Morales, who has recovered from a serious leg injury. Morales offers another possible 100-RBI bat in the lineup with Pujols. Another key acquisition was reliever LaTroy Hawkins, who helped the Brewers win the NL Central in 2011 with critical sixth- and seventh-inning appearances. His veteran leadership should be valuable to a young closer and bullpen. In all, the Angels are poised for the postseason and perhaps to take back the American League West.

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